The national alliance of urban poor greets October with protests nationwide as part of the International Habitat Month, together with members of the International Alliance of Inhabitants (IAI). The mobilization marks the fight for Zero Eviction in different communities. Simultaneous mobilizations will also occur in Taiwan, Italy, Malaysia, Korea among others. Kadamay also sent out its solidarities to urban poor movements around the world.

As demolitions and forced evictions aggravate, hundreds of thousands of families worldwide face the peril of homelessness. In the Philippines, the prominent Sitio San Roque barricade that protected homes from the demolition serves as a reminder that no forced eviction shall take place in communities, as long as the government remains neglectful of the housing rights of the people. Until today, more than 7,000 families face threat of forced eviction to give way for the Quezon City Central Business District—the P65-billion joint venture of the LGU, NHA, and Ayala Land.

Arellano reiterates that in addition to that, communities also face the burden of Build, Build, Build (BBB) of the Duterte administration. Campaigned as “the golden era of infrastructure”, but to urban poor it is nothing but widespread demolitions and forced evictions with no relocations.

The NLEX 8.2, that will connect C-5 Road to Commonwealth Ave. in NLEX through Mindanao Ave, will affect 50,000 families, 8 barangays in Quezon City and one in Valenzuela. It clearly shows as a project for private corporations and nothing for communities the government should serve welfare. The project will also offer virtually no relocation for the affected residents as the budget for housing will be slashed drastically.